“Why,” replied the submaster, looking puzzled, “the youngsters in the lower schools have their needs provided for, in some way, in their own school buildings.”

“True,” agreed Dick.  “But what of the small army of clerks and factory employees of Gridley?  Aren’t they citizens, even if they haven’t the time to attend High School?  Haven’t our smaller business fry a right to the health and good spirits that come out of gymnastic and athletic work?  Haven’t our typewriters, our salesgirls and factory girls a right to some of the good things from the gym.?  Aren’t they all citizens, and isn’t the gym. their property as much as it’s anyone else’s!”

“Excellent,” nodded Mr. Morton.  “But how do you propose to get them interested in the use of their property, even if the Board of Education will permit it?”

“The willingness of the Board of Education can be dropped out of sight,” argued Dick.  “The Board is the servant of the people, and must do what the people want.  What Dave and I want to see is to have the High School gym. turned over to the young working people of the city in the evening time.  Say, two evenings a week for young men and two evenings for the young women.  We believe it will result in big gains for Gridley.  When you put new life and brighter blood into the toilers, it increases the wealth of the whole city, doesn’t it?”

“I declare, I think it ought to,” replied Mr. Morton.  “But see here, how are two boys—–­or, let us say, two boys and a submaster—–­going to bring about any such result as this?”

“By presenting it properly through the leading daily of Gridley,” replied Prescott, with great promptness.

“Have you received any assurance that Mr. Pollock, of ‘The Blade,’ will be for this big scheme of yours?” asked Mr. Morton.

“When we’ve explained it all, I don’t see how he can help being for it,” rejoined Prescott.  “If ‘The Blade’ takes hold and booms this idea, day in and day out, it won’t be very long before evening gym. classes will be filled to overflowing.  And the Board of Education would have to give way before the pressure.”

Then Dave took hold of the subject for a while, talking with great earnestness.  Mr. Morton listened with increasing interest.

“I think, boys, that you’ve hit upon an idea that will be of great service to our city,” remarked the submaster.  “Yet what put all this into your heads!”

“Why, sir, it’s our last year at the High School,” replied Dick, smiling though speaking with great earnestness.  “After four years of the fine training we’ve had here, Dave and I feel that it’s our place to do something to leave our mark behind.  We’ve been talking it all over, and we’ve hit upon this idea.  Will you stand by us in it?”

“Why, yes; all that I can, you may be sure.  But just what do you boys expect me to be able to do!”